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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant Schools in the Great Lakes Region

45 Colleges in the United States
691 Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant Degrees Awarded
$37,295 Avg Early-Career Salary

Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their physical therapy technician/assistant programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 65 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for physical therapy technician/assistant students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant in the Great Lakes Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the physical therapy technician/assistant degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant

1

No school ranked higher than Elgin Community College this year for physical therapy technician/assistant. Elgin Community College is a large public school located in the city of Elgin. There were roughly 12 physical therapy technician/assistant students who graduated with this degree at Elgin Community College in the most recent data year. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $46,319 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $7,727. More information about a degree in physical therapy technician/assistant from Elgin Community College

2
Harper College crest
Harper College
Palatine, IL

Students looking for a strong physical therapy technician/assistant program will find one at Harper College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public institution. Harper College awarded about 13 physical therapy technician/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Harper College earn a median of $36,111 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,834. See the full physical therapy technician/assistant program report for Harper College

3
Fox College Inc crest
Fox College Inc
Tinley Park, IL

Fox College Inc is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physical therapy technician/assistant, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Tinley Park, Fox College Inc is a small private for-profit institution. Fox College Inc awarded about 38 physical therapy technician/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical therapy technician/assistant degree from Fox College Inc earn around $42,418 in the first couple years of their career. Fox College Inc graduates carry a median of $21,579 in student loans. See the full physical therapy technician/assistant program report for Fox College Inc

4

A rank of #4 makes Southern Illinois University Carbondale one of the top schools for physical therapy technician/assistant. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. Southern Illinois University Carbondale awarded about 13 physical therapy technician/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $40,034. Typical student debt for the program is $17,000. See the full physical therapy technician/assistant program report for Southern Illinois University Carbondale

5

A rank of #5 makes Gateway Technical College one of the top schools for physical therapy technician/assistant. This large public university is located in the city of Kenosha. About 11 physical therapy technician/assistant degrees were awarded at Gateway Technical College in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical therapy technician/assistant program make about $35,164 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,834. See the full physical therapy technician/assistant program report for Gateway Technical College

6

Sinclair Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best physical therapy technician/assistant schools. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. Sinclair Community College awarded about 15 physical therapy technician/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $38,545 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $12,988 to complete this degree. See the full physical therapy technician/assistant program report for Sinclair Community College

7

Milwaukee Area Technical College landed the #7 spot for physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public institution. About 11 physical therapy technician/assistant degrees were awarded at Milwaukee Area Technical College in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical therapy technician/assistant degree from Milwaukee Area Technical College earn around $34,507 in the first couple years of their career. Milwaukee Area Technical College graduates carry a median of $16,699 in student loans. More information about a degree in physical therapy technician/assistant from Milwaukee Area Technical College

8

City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College earned the #8 position for physical therapy technician/assistant this year. City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College awarded about 20 physical therapy technician/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College earn a median of $36,524 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,000. See the full physical therapy technician/assistant program report for City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College

9

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College placed #9 among the best physical therapy technician/assistant schools. This large public university is located in the city of Green Bay. About 15 physical therapy technician/assistant degrees were awarded at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical therapy technician/assistant degree from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College earn around $35,294 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,991 to complete this degree. Read more about the physical therapy technician/assistant program at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College

10
College Of Dupage crest
College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage earned the #10 position for physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. College Of Dupage awarded about 19 physical therapy technician/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $41,235 early in their careers. College Of Dupage graduates carry a median of $13,891 in student loans. More information about a degree in physical therapy technician/assistant from College Of Dupage

11
Lake Land College crest
Lake Land College
Mattoon, IL

Lake Land College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best physical therapy technician/assistant schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Mattoon. Lake Land College awarded about 10 physical therapy technician/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $30,529 early in their careers. Lake Land College graduates carry a median of $7,769 in student loans. See the full physical therapy technician/assistant program report for Lake Land College

12
Illinois Central College crest
Illinois Central College
East Peoria, IL

Illinois Central College earned the #12 position for physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Illinois Central College is a large public school located in the suburb of East Peoria. Illinois Central College awarded about 18 physical therapy technician/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Illinois Central College earn a median of $53,190 early in their careers. Illinois Central College graduates carry a median of $12,222 in student loans. Get the full physical therapy technician/assistant details for Illinois Central College

13

Cuyahoga Community College District earned the #13 position for physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Cuyahoga Community College District awarded about 12 physical therapy technician/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical therapy technician/assistant degree from Cuyahoga Community College District earn around $38,335 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,500. Read more about the physical therapy technician/assistant program at Cuyahoga Community College District

14
University Of Indianapolis crest
University Of Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

University Of Indianapolis landed the #14 spot for physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, University Of Indianapolis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Indianapolis awarded about 26 physical therapy technician/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical therapy technician/assistant degree from University Of Indianapolis earn around $50,907 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $31,000. See the full physical therapy technician/assistant program report for University Of Indianapolis

15

Washtenaw Community College earned the #15 position for physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. Washtenaw Community College awarded about 15 physical therapy technician/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical therapy technician/assistant program make about $39,704 in their early career. Washtenaw Community College graduates carry a median of $14,935 in student loans. More information about a degree in physical therapy technician/assistant from Washtenaw Community College

16
Ivy Tech Community College crest
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN

Ivy Tech Community College landed the #16 spot for physical therapy technician/assistant this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Indianapolis. About 42 physical therapy technician/assistant degrees were awarded at Ivy Tech Community College in the most recent year. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $34,001 early in their careers. Ivy Tech Community College graduates carry a median of $12,227 in student loans. See the full physical therapy technician/assistant program report for Ivy Tech Community College

17

Macomb Community College earned the #17 position for physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 30 physical therapy technician/assistant students who graduated with this degree at Macomb Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $29,234. Typical student debt for the program is $15,865. More information about a degree in physical therapy technician/assistant from Macomb Community College

18

Heartland Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best physical therapy technician/assistant schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Normal. Heartland Community College awarded about 11 physical therapy technician/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical therapy technician/assistant program make about $48,710 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,266. Get the full physical therapy technician/assistant details for Heartland Community College

19

Marion Technical College landed the #19 spot for physical therapy technician/assistant this year. Located in the town of Marion, Marion Technical College is a mid-sized public university. About 18 physical therapy technician/assistant degrees were awarded at Marion Technical College in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical therapy technician/assistant program make about $37,040 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,196. More information about a degree in physical therapy technician/assistant from Marion Technical College

20

University Of Cincinnati Clermont College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best physical therapy technician/assistant schools. University Of Cincinnati Clermont College is a large public school located in the suburb of Batavia. University Of Cincinnati Clermont College awarded about 18 physical therapy technician/assistant degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical therapy technician/assistant program make about $36,862 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,875 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in physical therapy technician/assistant from University Of Cincinnati Clermont College

21

Shawnee State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best physical therapy technician/assistant schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Portsmouth. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 14 physical therapy technician/assistant students who graduated with this degree at Shawnee State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical therapy technician/assistant degree from Shawnee State University earn around $36,376 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,999. Get the full physical therapy technician/assistant details for Shawnee State University

22

University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne placed #22 among the best physical therapy technician/assistant schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Fort Wayne. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 19 physical therapy technician/assistant students who graduated with this degree at University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne generally make around $36,224. Typical student debt for the program is $27,520. Read more about the physical therapy technician/assistant program at University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne

23
Morton College crest
Morton College
Cicero, IL

Morton College earned the #23 position for physical therapy technician/assistant this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Cicero. There were roughly 15 physical therapy technician/assistant students who graduated with this degree at Morton College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical therapy technician/assistant degree recipients from Morton College generally make around $42,975. Morton College graduates carry a median of $7,734 in student loans. See the full physical therapy technician/assistant program report for Morton College

24

Edison State Community College came in at #24 for physical therapy technician/assistant this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Piqua. About 15 physical therapy technician/assistant degrees were awarded at Edison State Community College in the most recent year. Physical Therapy Technician/assistant graduates of Edison State Community College earn a median of $43,481 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,406 to complete this degree. See the full physical therapy technician/assistant program report for Edison State Community College

25

James A Rhodes State College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best physical therapy technician/assistant schools. James A Rhodes State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Lima. About 14 physical therapy technician/assistant degrees were awarded at James A Rhodes State College in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical therapy technician/assistant degree from James A Rhodes State College earn around $29,932 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,929. More information about a degree in physical therapy technician/assistant from James A Rhodes State College

Rest of the Top 40 Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant Schools

These schools also placed among the best for physical therapy technician/assistant this year:

26
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Owens Community College
Perrysburg, OH
27
Hocking College crest
Hocking College
Nelsonville, OH
28
29
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Kellogg Community College
Battle Creek, MI
30
31
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Stark State College
North Canton, OH
32
33
34
35
36
Vincennes University crest
Vincennes University
Vincennes, IN
37
Delta College crest
Delta College
University Center, MI
38
39
40

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 65 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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